#livrever asks | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

lycorogue · 3 years

Note

For your ask game... 7, 13,15 and 16!

Livrever! You're just as bad as @cyhyr! You should also be well aware of my wordiness! Welp. Looks like I'm dusting off that good old Long Post hashtag again today. 😂

[Fanfic Writer Ask Game Questions]

7. What story/headcanons do you feel the proudest of?

By far the headcanon (which became a story) that I'm proudest of is the origin story of the lucky charm bracelet Marinette gave Adrien in "Gamer."

She already had it on-hand, and she didn't seem to have made it specifically to gift to Adrien. She even said he could "borrow" it, but never got it back. I think the charm bracelet was a spur of the moment decision to try to cheer him up and build up his confidence. When I was a kid, my mom gifted me various inspirational cards and worry stones to help me through finals and remind me that I could achieve anything I put my mind to. It felt fitting that Marinette's parents would do something similar, and THAT is where the bracelet originally came from.

If you want to read the full headcanon-inspired story, you can find it here: Build Your Own Luck

I love this headcanon so much I'm making sure to work it into my "I promise, I'm still working on it" WIP One and the Same.

Honorable Mention for favorite headcanon would be the headcanons I came up with for my Plagg-centric/Plagg-Appreciation story Forever in Darkness. In particular, my headcanon that Plagg was Aladdin's "lesser genie of the ring" from the 1001 Arabian Nights tale. I basically had that headcanon since I first saw Origins and Plagg mentioned meeting a genie before.

(Also, ya know, I still consider my first completed multi-chapter story Peeping Tomcat my magnum opus... so... yeah... proud of that one too)

13. When did you start writing fanfic?

I've been dabbling in fanfic pretty much ever since I understood what fandom was. When I was in elementary school I would create a whole series of X-Men OCs (only to discover a decade or so later that nearly every OC I thought of is already a canon X-Men character, they just never made the cut for the 90s cartoon).

In middle school and early high school (so roughly ages 12 through 15), I created a self-insert Batman OC (and love interest for Dick Grayson's Robin). She was Selena Kyle's niece that moved in with her. She struggled between excitedly being her Aunt Selena's apprentice as a cat burglar, and using those skills to be a hero with Batman and Robin. I can't recall the character's name anymore, but she went by the alias Black Panther (because that was my school's mascot and I'm a nerd like that).

About the age of 16 or 17 I joined my first play-by-post role-play game where I played Harley Quinn. It didn't last long before the game master went to college and the whole thing fell apart.

Then there was a fanfic dry spell. I did work on original works almost constantly from the age of 10 straight through to college. Then I had a college professor that more-or-less broke my creative writing spirit, sadly. I still wrote for video production classes and scriptwriting classes, but I didn't write anything recreationally for over 5 years.

Then, in 2009 I got back into the "Hey, Arnold!" fandom. August 2010 I wrote my first fanfic for the fandom. It would be the first fanfic I would ever publish online. I've been working on fanfics again ever since. 😁 (if you don't want to read the story on FFN, you can find the import over to AO3 here)

15. What is the fanfic you’ve written that you’re most proud of?

As I said before, I still think of Peeping Tomcat as my magnum opus. It is the longest story I've written. It is the first multi-chapter story I was able to actually complete. There are a lot of moments in that story that I just love to reread myself. It's the first story I've written that I felt compelled to write a sequel to (sadly, said sequel, One and the Same, has been stubborn the past 4 years and won't properly form, so that's still a WIP). It's the only ML fanfic I've published that has inspired fanart (but it's not my first fanfic ever to inspire art. That honor goes to my sadly abandoned HA! fanfic What is Truly Meant to Be). Plus, I got to emotionally torture poor Adrien, but also give him a happy ending.

Runner Up, I think, would have to be Prescription for Love, which is my interpretation of what Adrien did off-screen during the season 3 episode "Backwarder." A lot of my reviews have stated how much people loved Kagami in that story despite not particularly enjoying her canon characterization at that point in the series. Plus, Adrien is an oblivious little mush.

Honorable Mentions to the aforementioned Build Your Own Luck as well as my first Christmas-themed story Woven Heartstrings. I am still amazed at how perfect the gifts are for all of the characters, and I was the one who thought of them!!!! Plus, I've had a surprisingly large number of kudos/comments on that story outside of the holiday season, so it must really resonate with people even outside of December. Final Honorable Mention goes to the aforementioned Plagg-Appreciation story Forever in Darkness.

16. What fanfic tropes do you avoid writing for?

Goodness. I actually don't write for tropes. Not really. I aim more for "how close to a legit episode can I make this story?" or just general "This plot bunny showed up and I guess I'm nurturing it now???"

I don't know if I even KNOW all of the basic fanfic tropes....

If I used the This or That (Fanfic Edition) game as a guide, I think the tropes off of that list I'd avoid would be:

Flower Shop AU - I don't know much about flowers for that to be worth trying

Historical AU - I am TRASH at historical anything... although I'm a HUGE steampunkest... go figure

Major AU reworks in general - I am perfectly content snuggled into the canon. I like this show for a reason. And I like fanfic because the world building has already been done for me.

Crack??? - I don't have anything against crack. I quite enjoy it. I just... I'm not creative enough to come up with something so bonkers????

Whump - Not intentionally, at least. I almost never go into a story with the goal to torture the characters. That just... kinda... sorta... happens??? Sometimes???

Enemies to Lovers - I ADORE this trope, but I don't know if I could ever manage to write Adrien/Chat Noir as Marinette's/Ladybug's enemy nearly as masterfully as the other works already out there. Especially when some of my "competition" includes Discordant Sonata by @edendaphne and Curiosity and Satisfaction by @imthepunchlord.

Whew! This was even longer than the 4-question ask from Cyhyr! You ladies sure do know how to get me to talk. 😁

Thanks so much for the ask! Anyone else interested in getting to know more about me and my writing style? Feel free to drop me those asks. 😁

#writing #livrever asks #LycoRogue answers #fanfic writer asks #ask game #Tumblr games #please ask me things #long post #Livrever made me use that dang hashtag again!#XD #LycoRogue original #get to know my writing style #get to know me #get to know a fanfic writer #watch me gush #edendaphne writing #imthepunchlord writing

6 notes · View notes

chimpukampu · 4 years

Note

I heard you are having a birthday! Happy Birthday! I hope your day is fantastic!

#thank you so much ❤️️#I really appreciate it 😭#chimpu ask #livrever

6 notes · View notes

nerdypanda3126 · 2 years

Note

And since I'm already being greedy.... a kiss between enemies who should be fighting.

😆 well thanks for being greedy :P These keep getting longer and I'm not necessarily mad at it 😅 okay so it took me a second to think of why lukanette might be enemies, and I ended up with a pirate/mermaid AU 👀

Luka crouched down to the netted mermaid on the deck of his ship and spoke in a low tone, trying not to scare her.

“What’s your name?” he asked.

As a response she spouted water in his face and glared back. Her iridescent pink tail was whipping furiously behind her and the glower she sported was pure blue without even the white of a sclera. No eyelashes, either. Every time she blinked a red membrane flashed sideways for the briefest moment. He chuckled as he wiped his eyes.

“Sorry about the whole… taking you captive thing…” He checked her over subtly for injuries. Aside from her arm being uncomfortably twisted around behind her and the wet hair that was strung across her face, she seemed fine. And the net. Which looked tighter than it probably needed to be, but the crew hadn’t taken any liberties with his orders.

Mermaids were known to be dangerous, after all.

She thrashed her tail and hissed back at him, showing a mouthful of small, pointed teeth like a barracuda’s. It pained him, honestly, to hold such a beautiful creature like this, but there was really no way around it. They needed her. He tucked a finger under her chin and helped tilt her face up until she was looking at him.

“No harm will come to you,” he promised. As an afterthought, he swiped the hair out of her face. She lunged at him as much as she was able, gnashing her teeth against the rope. He jerked his hand back and stood to look down at her. “Unless you harm me or my crew,” he amended. He heard another spiteful spout of water hit the deck at his feet as he walked away.

---

The next morning he brought her a freshly caught fish and crouched just out of reach of those teeth. He waved it in front of her and watched her eyes follow it hungrily.

“Your name,” he said gently. “I still need to hear it.”

She blinked up at him. The expression was so different than the night before when she was all teeth. She almost looked helpless, but he knew better. It was an act, more than likely, to get him to let his guard down and come closer.

He leaned forward and put the fish close enough that she could take a bite if she wanted, making sure to keep his fingers clear. She sniffed at it curiously, then looked up to watch him as she reached out with those teeth to snag the whole fish out of his hands and swallow it whole.

It took him a solid minute to even react. When his senses came back to him, he laughed.

“Okay then,” he muttered as he sat, cross-legged, across from the enforced cage they'd transferred her to. This part of the ship had a small leak, and the water had collected in a small pool that was perfect for her to lounge in—well, as much as she could with the net still tangled around her fins.

“I’ll bring more tomorrow,” he said easily.

Those eyes followed his every movement. He fought back a shiver. There was something… different about this one. Maybe it was her magic starting to work on him, or maybe she didn’t have any magic at all. She just seemed so small. It was weird to think that since if she were set standing up on her tail fin she’d probably be taller than him. Not to mention the solid wall of muscle that made up her tail. His hand itched to run along her scales to see if they were sharpened on the wrong side like he’d heard.

“I’m Luka,” he said, attempting nonchalance. “And I’m the captain of the Liberty. Well, co-captain, but my sister had to sit this trip out.” He shot her a sheepish grin, but she just blinked back at him. Her tail, though, was swishing curiously.

“We’re trying to make it to Dead Man’s Plunge. Do you know it?”

Another slow blink. He assumed that meant yes, or at least that she was listening.

“It’s said that only a mermaid can find it."

"Why?" she asked him. Her voice was low and guttural, from misuse, he assumed.

He suppressed his surprise at hearing her speak and steepled his fingers together to consider them. "I mentioned my sister,” he started, his voice dipping into melancholy. “Well, she's… under this curse." He glanced back and found the mermaid was watching him carefully. "A sea witch is holding her voice captive," he explained, "until we bring back these jewels, which, I'll be honest, I don't know what they do or why she needs them, but if it helps Juleka, then—"

He stopped when he heard her tail start thrashing angrily again. When he looked back at her, she was scowling at him.

“Thief,” she growled.

He sighed and stood. No use arguing with her when she was technically correct. “I’ll bring more fish tomorrow,” he promised as he walked away.

---

“It’s called ‘Go Fish,’” he explained, showing her the cards. “It’s a game, you see? You try to guess what’s in the other person’s hand and if you’re right you get the card, but if not you have to pick one randomly.”

She eyed him curiously. She’d been their captive for a week now and she still hadn’t said much, except a few words to him. They were getting closer to where Dead Man’s Plunge was rumored to be and although he wasn’t above using force to make her help them, he’d prefer it if they could come to some sort of agreement.

He’d long since freed her arms from the net, so he dealt her a hand and showed her how to hold the cards. After a few turns she had the hang of it and her tail was swishing like a happy cat as they played.

“I still don’t know your name,” he admitted after she’d chosen a card from him. “And I can’t just keep calling you ‘mermaid.’”

She leveled him with a look and after a moment held out her hand of cards. She’d gotten his purpose in teaching her the game, then. He racked his brain for any name that sounded aquatic. Might as well start with the classics.

“How about Naiad?” he guessed. She shook her cards at him. Go Fish. He plucked a card out of her hand. As she took her turn, he did his best to think of a name that might fit her.

“Lamia?” he guessed again, thankful for the Greek his mother had made him study as a child. She shook her hand at him again. Go Fish. He sighed as he took another card from her. This was an awful idea. Like he’d ever be able to guess. “Do you even have a name by human standards?” he asked irritably.

She blinked back at him and her eyebrows furrowed as she frowned. He’d tried not to show any anger around her, knowing what she must think of humans, especially him and his crew for capturing her.

“Sorry,” he said quickly. “I didn’t mean…”

She blinked again and took her turn like nothing had happened, but her tail had tucked up beside her like she was protecting it. Hesitantly, he laid a hand over hers to get her attention. She pulled it out of his grip quickly and a low hiss slipped out from between her lips. He put his hands up by his head instead, surrendering, and the hiss stopped. After a tense moment, she held her hand of cards out for him and shook them pointedly.

“You do have a name.” He sighed in relief and looked around the hold for inspiration. “Marina?” he guessed.

Her tail flicked in excitement, splashing a bit in what little water she was lying in. When he reached for a card, she pulled it away from him.

“Your name is really Marina?” he asked incredulously. She shook her head, but still wouldn’t let him Go Fish. “It’s close though?”

Another small tail flick. He couldn’t help his smile. She was playing with him. Cute. He glanced over her again, noting once more how she was smaller than the other mermaids he’d seen. He couldn’t fathom why she’d been wandering out by herself in the first place. Surely a smaller one like her would be protected. But she’d been distracted, collecting shells with her human half pulled up onto the beach, humming to herself. It’d almost been too easy to capture her, and since she was smaller, his crew didn’t have much difficulty hauling her onto the ship.

It hit him then. Small in his culture meant adding—“Is it Marinette?”

Her whole face lit up and she smiled, showing her pointed teeth. It was a gesture he was sure she’d picked up from him and his crew because it didn’t look entirely natural on her. Nonetheless, he smiled back.

“Marinette,” he repeated. Her tail swished behind her happily. “It’s nice to meet you.”

---

Luka woke when the first barrage hit the ship. There was a low, solid thump from somewhere below him and he knew what it meant instantly. He jumped out of bed and tugged his boots on before going out and shouting to rouse the crew.

They were under attack from the mermaids.

In less than five minutes there was a flurry of activity on deck. He was shouting orders without making sure they were followed but knowing they would be. At the next barrage his entire ship rocked with the movement and out of the corner of his eye he saw a crew member fall over the side.

He hurried down to the hold where they’d stashed Marinette and found her agitated, her tail lashing like it had been the day they captured her, her teeth bared for battle. When she saw him, she settled somewhat, but another wave rocked the ship and threw him down onto the deck. He scrambled back up and got over to her.

“Can you stop them?” he asked breathlessly. She only blinked back at him. With her small, pointed teeth bared, the blank expression was much more eerie. From above deck he heard a scream as another crew member was probably dragged away. “What if I set you free? Will they stop then?”

Panic gripped his heart when she still didn’t respond. He cursed as fluently as he knew how and unlocked the door to her brig as quickly as possible with the ship still rocking around him. He crouched next to her when he’d managed to get in and started sawing at her ropes with his knife.

His quest wasn’t worth the lives of his crew. If there was even a chance that letting her go would save them, he’d suffer the consequences.

The rope snapped as it came undone and he tore the rest of the net off her. That done, he heaved her over his shoulder to get her above deck. She thrashed against him the whole way up the stairs, but as soon as she tasted fresh air she stilled.

Another crew member ran up to help him, but Marinette hissed and Luka pushed them away hurriedly. He was panting with the effort, but he got her over to the side, intending to let her drop into the water.

At the last second, though, she wrapped her arms around his neck and dragged him over the side with her.

The only thought that crossed his mind as they fell was that he should’ve known better than to trust a mermaid.

As they fell, though, Marinette angled herself so she took the brunt of the fall into the water. Dazed, he tried to break away from her, but she was so strong. So much stronger in the water than he’d ever thought she could be. She curled herself around him and put her hands on the sides of his face, staring at him with those wide blue eyes before she lowered her mouth to his.

She breathed for him.

It was a strange sensation, and felt a lot like drowning.

She helped him take two long, deep breaths before she pulled away and leveled him with a look. She wasn’t trying to drown him, she was… saving him.

He tried to say something to the effect of “My crew,” but all that came out was a stream of bubbles and a garbled noise. She rolled her eyes and gave him another breath, then put a finger to his lips. He got the message. Don’t waste air by talking.

She gripped his wrist and with a quick thrust of her tail she was torpedoing through the water, dragging him along with her like he weighed nothing. After a minute, she stopped and gave him another breath, then continued.

He looked up and they’d gotten to the side of his ship that was being attacked. Two merpeople were leading the charge, one a smaller female like Marinette but with a red and gold tail, and the other the biggest merman he’d ever seen. The merman was leading the barrages, heaving his shoulder into the wood like a battering ram in time with the rest of the group. The female was systematically dismantling his ship, tearing boards away with sharp nails in what he knew were vital places.

His heart clenched at the sight of his crew members' bodies starting to sink gently down to the bottom. He was literally helpless to save them, or even to save himself.

Marinette had apparently found what she was looking for, which was a giant, gaping canyon at the sea floor. Dead Man’s Plunge. She was dragging him straight to it.

He did his best to pull back against her, struggling against her powerful strides, and she turned and went to breathe for him again but he shook his head and pointed to the deep, dark depths. He’d never survive that.

She looked between him and the canyon, trying to understand, and then he tugged on her wrist because now he really did need another breath.

She’d done it a few times now, but this time almost seemed different. She cupped the back of his head and held him to her, angling her head like she was trying to…

Her teeth grazed against his lip and drew blood and he jerked away from her. She… pouted. Huh. That was different.

She looked around, then shot straight up. They broke the surface of the water within the same breath and Luka gasped in the salty sea air. As he treaded water, she abandoned him to dive back down.

He swam towards a barrel that had floated its way out to sea and draped himself over it, wiping hair and saltwater out of his eyes. His ship was a wreck. His crew was either dead or stranded like him. His only hope had just vanished beneath the waves.

I tried, Jules, he thought bitterly, turning his eyes to the sky instead. The stars sparkled above him and helped him get his bearings. They were far from any land. If he had any hope of rescue, he’d have to swim and tread water for at least two days. Maybe three. And that’s if he managed to keep going straight, which in the vast desert of the ocean, with no stars to guide him, would prove to be a challenge.

A hand gripped his ankle and pulled him back down under the water. He watched the stars disappear, knowing that they’d be his last sight.

Instead the hand that grabbed him twirled him around until he was facing—

“Marinette?” he tried to ask, his surprise making him forget momentarily that he was underwater again.

She held out her hand to him. Two small jewels were in her hand, both as dark as the water around them but with an iridescent red tint. As he watched incredulously, she grabbed his hand and opened it to transfer the jewels to him.

When he looked back up at her, she was smiling without her teeth. His brow furrowed and he wished he could ask her why she was helping him when he’d kept her captive.

She ducked in to breathe for him again, locking her lips around his to create a seal and cupping the back of his head like she had before. But she stayed longer than she needed to until she wasn’t really breathing for him anymore she was… kissing him. She was kissing him.

He clutched the jewels in his hand, but reached up to tangle his fingers in the midnight hair that was flowing freely around them, tucking it away from her face. He could feel her tail still pulsing to keep them still in the water, but she’d inched closer to him. Her other hand fell to his shoulder and he tucked his arm around her waist where her skin met scales. They were smooth against his fingers and as he rubbed against them, he felt her shiver.

When she pulled away, she stayed close and bumped her nose against his, then released him, pushing him a small distance away in the water.

It took him a moment to realize she was setting him free, too.

Send me a kiss!

#lukanette #kiss ask #livrever

67 notes · View notes

goldenlaurelleaveswrites · 2 years

Note

🤔🧠🌙🍰 for the ask game:)

Ask me about my writing

Thanks for the ask!! 💖💖💖

🤔 What is the hardest part of writing fic?

Logistically/in terms of life admin, finding the time/energy. But the actual writing process? I think for me it would be a combination of writers block, too many ideas, and self-doubt. I feel like writers block is pretty self explanatory, but having too many ideas can be really hard because when I get excited about something, I need to write it right away. So that means I always have at least five active projects on the go (I think right now that number is a lot closer to ten). So trying to balance them so I don't neglect the ones I've already started posting gets a bit tricky, and just having so much going on in my head can really tire me out. And with myself- doubt, I can really get into my head and question absolutely every choice I've made about a story to the point of paralysis. I usually manage to pull myself out of it, or force myself to do the thing that scares me. But it's hard to deal with, and it can really mess with my momentum on a project.

🧠 What’s an idea you have that you can’t quite call a WIP yet?

There are a few. It's kind of weird because if I have an idea and a scene pops into my head for it, I will write it even if I have no idea what the rest of the story is yet. 😂 There are a few things from my Back to September monthly challenge that got added to the hoard. Most of those I feel confident calling a WIP, but the Lighthouse one is still a nebulous mess of ideas 😂

🌙 What time of day do you prefer to write? Why?

I try to write whenever I can, and if an idea pops into my head and I can write it down (even just notes) I will, even if it's at three am. But I prefer to write in the evening/night because I just find I'm more creative and the words tend to flow better then.

🍰 Name one of your fave comfort fics (doesn’t have to be your all time fave).

Just one?! I'll give you three. (This is a non exhaustive list. If I listed all of them we would be here all day 😂)

Adamaris by @livrever

Killer Combo by @quickspinner

La Belle et le Serpent by @frivolousflare

#fanfic ask game #ask game #blueberry-macaron

7 notes · View notes

airi-p4 · 3 years

Text

Love in the sky

I wrote this for the @lovebugs-and-snakecharmers LBSC Sprint challenge - Meet cute week event and, once again, I got carried away and broke all the rules. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Prompt: Sitting next to each other on the plane.

Summary: Marinette is going to NY on an international flight for the first time. What she doesn’t know is that the one seated next to her is the popular new band Kitty Section’s guitarist: Luka Couffaine.

Thank you @livrever for checking it for me 💙

AO3

______________________________________

Marinette rushed through the aisle of the plane. She couldn’t believe she almost missed it! her first international trip to the US! Stupid alarm! Of course she was tired. She was so nervous she couldn’t sleep all night… until 5AM… and the plane departed at 10AM… and obviously she had to oversleep. *sigh*

Running, tripping and spinning on her feet, she finally searched for her seat. 38B - aisle seat. Her pink polka dotted suitcase was heavy, but thanks to the cabin attendant she could finally put it inside the overhead bin, while her backpack rested under the seat in front of her. All set, she let her weight fall on the seat at last and let out a deep breath as she fastened her seatbelt.

The doors of the plane closed, and the PA message started: Welcome on board… Security instructions… Marinette wasn’t listening. Her legs were uncontrollably shaking, and her fingers were fidgeting with the laces of her hoodie.

Those nerves and stress couldn’t be healthy.

She examined her surroundings, and, next to her, someone was sleeping. Someone, who appeared to be a young man, with a sleeping eye mask and a face mask on, messy blue hair showing under a knit hat and a blanket covering his body. Overall, it didn't give much more information about her plane's seat neighbor. Not wanting to wake him up, she focused on the rest of the passengers instead. Why were all of them so quiet when she felt her heart could burst out of her chest anytime?

The plane started its runaway and Marinette closed her eyes tightly when it raised from the lane. Once in the air, she started breathing again, but her heart was still beating fast.

"First time on a plane?" a masculine voice beside her asked.

She turned to her side, and looked at the person seated next to her. His eye mask was over his head now, and she could see his blue eyes clearly, while his blue bangs partly covered his eyebrows.

“Y- yes!” she squeaked.

“You’re making me nervous too. Calm down, it’s going to be ok” he assured.

“I- I know!" She said, but her body wasn’t obeying. “I’m sorry...”

The young man sighed. “Look, I’ve been on a plane many times. It’s safe. Why don’t you try to sleep? It’s going to be a long flight.”

“I- I can’t! I’m too nervous! I’ve never traveled alone before, plus my career depends on this trip! I can’t stay calm!”

“Why don’t you try listening to some music, then? It always helps me relax” the young man offered her a sympathetic look.

“Music…?” she blinked. ‘It could work’.

She plugged the earphones and put them in her ears. Then, she scrolled through the music programs on the touch screen in front of her. Classical music? For some reason, it only made it worse. Country music? Not her style. XY? Hell, no. Her eyes stopped at the name of a fairly new band: “Kitty Section”. She played the video called: “Kitty Section's Paris Live Concert”.

“Good choice” the man next to her said when the title started showing on the screen.

Marinette had heard about the band called Kitty Section. They had featured in most of her favorite magazines after they won Eurovision several months ago, but she wasn't familiar with their music. In less than a minute, she was hooked and forgot completely about her surroundings or her nerves.

“Wow!” she mumbled, mesmerized, and the man next to her let out a snicker.

The music was amazing- the rock vibes, their stage presence, the vocalists’ cuteness and high ranged voice, the accurate and insane drums, the gorgeous purple haired bassist… all of them sounded incredible. But the guitarist… the blue haired guitarist was extraordinary- unbelievably good. Not only talented, but also powerful, charismatic and incredibly handsome.

“They’re good, huh?” The man beside her commented and she nodded. She could tell he was smiling under his face mask. She nodded in agreement.

“I had never heard them properly before but damn- they are incredible” Marinette answered, and he laughed. Her fingers tapped rhythmically, following the beat of the song. “But…" she continued, observing. "I think they could do better. There’s a margin of improvement,” she said with judging eyes.

“Oh, really? How?” The blue-eyed man asked, curious, resting his elbow on the arm rest to get a closer look.

“The costumes,” Marinette pointed out. Then, she reached her backpack under her feet and took out a sketchbook and a pen and started drawing. “The outfits could be improved if they added this, and this” she signaled. “And this-” She kept scribbling while the blue-haired man observed and listened to her suggestions. “And ta-da! Wouldn’t they look even better if they were like this?” She proudly showed him her designs, only to realize she was being embarrassing towards a stranger. “Ah, sorry- I got carried away…” She apologized. But the man took the sketchbook in his hands.

“Let me see,” he said, and she saw how his eyes examined every detail of her drawings. She gulped nervously. It felt like her skills were being tested. But the man took his face mask off and smiled. “Wow, that’s impressive. Fresh, charismatic, unique- and perfectly according to the band's style. I love them" he returned her the sketchbook. "You’re very talented. Are you famous? Do you take commissions?” He asked, and she looked at him speechless.

“I- I’m still a no-one… Is it really impressive?” She looked at him and blushed at the compliment.

“Yes, I think so. What would you do with this outfit?” He asked, showing him a photo of the same band on his smartphone. Her inspiration overflowed as she kept drawing and explaining her ideas. They kept discussing costumes and visual aspects of the band and chatted comfortably for a long time.

"I think Rose should go with something more… daring, bolder. She looks innocent but she's fierce inside. Of course, cuteness is her main trait, so I think she should combine both" she explained, coloring her design with colored pencils. "I think something like this would be perfect for her" she showed him her sketchbook and he was impressed. “As for Juleka-” She continued, turning to a blank page. “She’s so beautiful. I wish she didn’t cover her face so much, even if the mystery look is really attractive too…" She stopped drawing for a moment to admire the bassist on the screen. "Gosh- She's so gorgeous! I wish I was that beautiful” she commented.

“I think you’re even more beautiful than her, you know?” The blue-haired man casually said, and she shyly blushed with a 'no way' frantic arms movements. “What about the guitarist?” he asked, raising an eyebrow with a smug smile.

“Luka Couffaine? OH LORD SHOW MERCY- Have you seen him? And his eyeliner? It should be ILLEGAL to be this HOT” She said, convinced.

“Hmmm… So you like him, huh?” He teased, his smile widening.

“Who doesn’t, really?” She shrugged. “He’s literally the SEXIEST man alive. His eye contact with the camera could kill! Oh, and whenever he gets shirtless on stage or photoshoots? GOD- I almost get a nosebleed EVERY FREAKING TIME! He's TOO DAMN HOT" She fanned herself at the image. "Don’t you agree?" She asked and he blinked twice. "You like him too, right? You have so many photos of them in your phone! I bet he’s making you question your sexuality too, like he does with all my friends! How could anyone resist those blue eyes and his manly features, his soft looking blue hair and- his tattoos..." She looked away from her seat neighbor's blue piercing eyes, and focused at the smartphone screen again, to a close-up photo of Kitty Section’s guitarist. "How did you get these close-up casual photos...?” she asked, and then she noticed the tattoo on his neck. She looked back and forth at the man seated next to her and the one in the picture. ‘It couldn't be, right…?’ And at that moment, when he had a knowing smile on his face- one she knew too well-, she realized who he was seated next to on the plane. Her eyes opened as big as plates and she overheated. He was smirking amusingly at her reaction. “You- You- You are-? Lu-Lu-Luk- It can’t be…”

He nodded to confirm her suspicions and her jaw fell to the floor. “Hi. I think I haven't introduced myself yet. My name is Luka. But I think you already know that. It’s nice to meet you.” He chuckled, straightening his hand for a handshake.

“Oh God, kill me now...” She mumbled, sinking on the table. Luka snickered.

“What’s your name?”

“Ma-Ma-Marinette… I mean- Marinette!” She felt his eyes on her and panicked. “Excuse me- I- I need a moment... This- This is too much- Oh My God...” She stood up and rushed to the end of the plane, not without tripping twice on her way there.

________________________

While Marinette was gone, the two ladies in front of Luka and Marinette’s seats turned to Luka. “Having fun?” They smirked, knowingly. He was chuckling, having real trouble to keep his laugh from escaping.

“Oh, God, Yes. This is so much fun." He wiped the tears that were forming on his eyes. "I think I’ve found our potential new costume designer” he continued laughing under his nose.

“Only that? I think there’s more...” Juleka smirked, and Rose giggled in agreement by her side. He couldn't deny it: his sister was totally right.

Behind Luka's seat, Kitty Section's drummer, Ivan and his girlfriend Mylene had been enjoying the show the blue-eyed pair had been giving. It was definitely more entertaining than any movie. It would have been perfect if they had popcorn to accompany their fortunate first row seats to the hilarious show. They also approved Marinette's designs.

Luka took the chance Marinette wasn't there to freely stand up, go talk to their managers and stretch his legs for a bit.

_________________________

Back at the end of the plane, Marinette drank some juice and moved to the bathroom. She was panicking in front of the mirror, talking to herself.

“OH. MY. GOD. I’m seated next to Luka Couffaine! For at least… 5 hours more!? And I just called him hot! And- And- he said I’m beautiful and talented! And- Oh my God, he asked me for commissions, right? This can’t be real- I-" her feet wiggled uncontrollably and she let out a long squeak. "Ahh… Calm down, Marinette! He’s human- A sexy human, but still human! He’s famous but very friendly, kind and nice. And fun! It’s going to be alright. Just- Avoid his eyes. That’s it. It’s dangerous. Don’t fall in love. You’re not a teenager anymore, you’re over that stage, right? Only a few hours more. You can do it. I CAN DO IT!” She convinced herself with a confident nod and returned to her seat, only to find Luka was gone.

She looked for him from her seat, at her surroundings, but he was nowhere to be found. She sighed in both relief and sadness as she seated.

For some reason, she was missing him. Which was stupid, considering they had just met! But his company was certainly enjoyable... And, moreover, it was FUN. More than she ever remembered having. And not only because she was passionate about fashion or music. It had to do with his aura, his personality, his gentle manners- just... Luka.

“Don’t worry, he’ll be back in a moment” A voice said from in front of her. “My brother is stupid, but he’s a decent person. Treat him well” The purple haired lady winked, beside a petit blond lady.

“Jul-!” She covered her mouth with her hands to stop herself from yelling her name. “And Rose-!?” 'Oh, no! They might have heard what I said too!' She panicked again and the ladies giggled amused.

“Ignore my sister and her girlfriend” Luka returned, and her face flustered when she noticed how tall and well built he was (not that she didn't know that, but it hit differently in first person). “Can I get back to my seat?” He politely asked, pointing at the window seat.

“Ah-! Yes! Of course!” She stood up so suddenly she tripped and fell on Luka’s chest. She immediately moved away in embarrassment, falling back instead, and Luka had to hold her again to avoid her imminent fall. “I’m sorry!”

“Are you ok?” He asked in concern, and she shyly nodded. Luka reluctantly let go of her and returned to his seat and Marinette settled back to hers.

Wait- Was that a blush on his face?

“Here” Luka offered her an envelope. “I don’t know what your plans in NY are but, here’s a VIP pass to our concert next Sunday. There’s also our contact card inside. I want you to consider the idea of working for us. Your costumes are impressive. We discussed it, and we want you in our team” Marinette had no words- totally speechless. Could she be this lucky? “What do you say?” Luka asked with a hopeful tender smile that made her weak.

“I- I’ll think about it. And- Oh God- I’ll totally be there for your concert” She blushed and Luka smiled kindly at her. Suddenly, she started searching inside her backpack, and took out a business card she offered him. “This is my contact. I- I have a fashion event next Monday. I would love you to come, if you can make it. Send me an email and I’ll get you some passes”

“Wow! That's impressive. I'll try to make it. Thank you, Marinette”

Marinette could hear her heart beating faster. No looking in his eyes, dammit. They kept talking for a while, enjoying their time together until they fell asleep out of exhaustion, Marinette’s head resting on Luka’s shoulder. He woke up earlier than her, but didn’t have the heart to wake her up until lunchtime. She looked like she really needed that rest.

When he left half of his lunch untouched, Marinette scolded him. “You have to eat! You’re too thin! Those abs and arms need consistency! Proteins!” She pointed at a photo of him shirtless and flustered again in embarrassment in realization. “Ah-”

Gosh- it really was fun, Luka thought, chucking. It was hard not to laugh out loud. Everything flowed so naturally it was unbelievable.

Damn. He didn’t want the plane to ever land.

“Marinette” he called, during their coffee time, and she looked back at him, redness still on her cheeks. “The plane will land soon but- Even if you don’t accept our offer… Is it possible for us to meet again? Out of business? Like this?”

Marinette flustered at his implications. “Do- Do you mean-?”

“A date. Would you go on a date with me, Marinette? Or just as friends, if you prefer. I like you, and I don’t think I’ve ever had this much fun with anyone else” He took Marinette’s pen and one of his ‘Kitty Section’ contact cards and wrote something behind it. “These are my personal telephone number and email. We'll be in NY until Friday next week. It would make me very happy if you contact me, whenever you prefer, anytime” He said, securing the card in her hands.

Marinette blushed, looked at the card with glowing eyes, and then at his honest loving stare. Was it even possible that the man everyone was gushing about was asking her out? But this had nothing to do with his stage persona. Luka was someone she more than enjoyed spending time with. Naturally, quietly, assuring… She had no doubts about her answer.

“I want to meet you again, too” she stated, and wrote her personal number under his wristband. “I’m free on Wednesday” she shyly smiled, and his smile widened.

“Wednesday is it, then. I'll manage to find the time. Just for you." He smiled happily and only then she realized how deep she had fallen.

Ah- she hadn't wanted to fall in love. What a way to fail her own determination… But she couldn't complain, not at all.

And he felt the same way.

Luka and Marinette's hands locked together, and they lost themselves in each other’s eyes, smiling at each other.

“Why don’t you kiss her already, dumbass?” Juleka called, and Marinette blushed. “He won’t kiss you if you don’t give him proper permission, you know? He’s very considerate despite his looks. Tell him already”

“Jules… Why don’t you mind your business and make out with Rose instead?” He shushed his sister and Rose giggled, embracing Juleka. Luka returned his attention to Marinette. “Sorry about that”

“It’s ok… I-” She started, looking at his thin lips. “Will you kiss me if I want to? Because I think I do...”

“You do?” he asked, and she shyly nodded and he smiled softly, making her heart flutter.

She closed her eyes and he leaned closer to give her a sweet kiss on her cheek. She pouted a little, in disappointment, but he told her that, if she really wanted to kiss him, that would be the perfect excuse to meet him again and make it more special, like a beautiful lady like her deserved. Marinette understood his reasoning and agreed with it, despite the slight disappointment she felt she would have to wait a few days to get the chance to kiss him. Nevertheless, both of them happily smiled while their fingers remained interlaced, chatting and enjoying their time together the rest of the flight, until the plane landed and they had to unavoidably say their farewells.

“Thank you for everything, Luka. I forgot how scared I was of planes thanks to you and- I’ll see you soon?”

“I really hope so. I still owe you something, right?" He winked and she blushed happily. Luka gave her a final discreet and quick kiss on her knuckles. "Gosh- I miss you already...” He added, and Marinette felt the urge to cry. She dropped her bag to hold him in a needed embrace. He gladly reciprocated her gesture. Despite neither wanting to separate, they forced themselves to. "I hope I see you soon, Marinette"

"Me too, Luka…" she wiped her tears and waved, as the band started walking away.

When the arrivals doors opened and all the camera flashes blinded her, she understood why Kitty Section members always wore sunglasses in airports. They were more popular than she could have expected. She understood why he had refused to kiss her outside of the plane, but he still saluted her before disappearing in the multitude of fans and paparazzis.

On the other side, Sabrina, Audrey Bourgeois’ assistant, waited for her. She had almost forgotten about her own business. But now, she found the motivation she had lacked. If she was willing to be with Luka, she had to become the best. She wanted to make a name of herself, more than ever. And her meeting with Luka certainly boosted her confidence.

Unexpectedly, her trip to NY had already become one of her most memorable experiences yet. And it had just started! She couldn't wait to spend the rest of the week in the city.

#my fic #airipyon #airip4 #lbsc sprint fic #lbsc sprint fic challenge #LBSC sprint challenge #lukanette fic #Pro LukaMari #endgame lukanette #nevermind the title- i'm super bad at them #I kinda want to write part 2 #but I don't need more WIPs ;v;#I need to finish them instead Dammit XD

60 notes · View notes

quickspinner · 1 year

Note

I promise to only ask for one. Viperbug... you're not alone

Live With It - Part 2

Part 1

Huge thanks to @mintaka14 for talking me through the block I was suffering on this, and @livrever for editing. I always forget to thank Mal but she does a lot of beta reading for me so all credit for the reduction of backwards pronouns in my works goes to her. 😆

Viperion grit his teeth and reset the bracelet again.

“It’s not going well,” he said, speaking quickly, racing the barely audible ticks that sounded like thunder in his ears. “The crowd’s mood turns bad every time you try to explain.” He took a breath, preparing for another round of the same argument. “LB, you need to tell them the truth. If you want to keep their faith in you, and their sense of safety, you need to tell them that it was Chat that dropped the ball. You’ve tried it a dozen times now and you just can’t keep the blame off of him without making it sound like you’re the one who left Paris undefended. I know you don’t want to throw him under the bus,” he cut off her protests, “but I just don’t see what other options we have. You don’t have to tell them he quit, just tell them that he’s taking a break to—” He paused, searching for a phrase. “Re-evaluate his priorities?”

Ladybug’s face hardened and Viperion knew he’d lost. Again. With a sigh, and again without waiting for her to protest, he gave her a quick rundown of what she’d already tried, and watched her brow crease as she thought over ideas. His eyes flicked to his bracelet and its digital timer, the digits falling in time with the quiet snick, snick, of the snake’s head creeping forward. Everytime they did this, she had less time to actually deliver her speech as he had to recount more approaches that hadn’t worked. There was no way to abort and regroup, not with the crowd out there waiting for the press conference to begin.

Each time, Ladybug went out there and tried to reassure the crowd that they were still protected, that the circumstances that had left the cure uncast would not occur again, and that she hadn’t simply abandoned them to Hawkmoth to chase a lead in New York, or whatever. Since she refused to admit that Chat was responsible, the inevitable conclusion was that Ladybug had slipped up, that she had left the city that relied on her undefended to go to the aid of a place that was swarming with superheroes, and it was clear that no one found her explanation satisfactory.

Viperion had little hope that this time would end any differently, as Ladybug nodded her head decisively and swung out to confront the crowd yet again. Sure enough, a very few minutes later, Ladybug had turned pleading eyes up to him, and he reset the bracelet again.

There just wasn’t time. Ladybug blinked at him when he said nothing, and Viperion sighed. “Do you trust me?” he asked quietly, seriously, and that familiar forehead crease appeared again, though her answer was instant and decisive.

“Yes.”

“Let me come with you.”

Ladybug blinked in surprise, and then took a breath. “It’s going that badly?” Viperion nodded.

“There’s not enough time to explain. Just know that everything we’ve tried so hard hasn’t worked, and we need a change of tactics. If you don’t like the way it’s going, tell me and I’ll reset. Just know I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t think it was our best chance. Okay?”

“Okay.” Ladybug took a deep breath. “Hang on to me.”

Viperion put his arms around her neck while she circled one arm around his waist, and then they were flying through the air. A dull roar went up from the crowd as they landed, and cameras clicked frantically as they approached the microphone podium.

“Shit,” Viperion muttered under his breath. “You face this all the time?”

Ladybug just gave him a wan smile before facing the crowd. Taking a deep breath, and telling himself this was just another performance, Viperion fixed a serious look on his face, and stood at her shoulder, just slightly behind her. Ladybug began her speech, apologizing first to the people of Paris for the damages she had been unable to prevent or restore. Gathering his nerve, Viperion touched her back lightly, and she glanced at him as he took the half step forward that put him beside her in front of the microphone.

“We must all remember that the person responsible for the damage done to Paris is no one but Hawkmoth. As much as we all rely on our superheroes, who volunteered—” Ladybug snorted softly beside him, “—to become the protectors of Paris and made themselves responsible for our safety, they shouldn’t be blamed for Hawkmoth’s choices. They’re only human, after all, and Ladybug’s commitment to protecting Paris is unquestionable.” He became aware his hands had fisted tightly at his side, and made an effort to unclench them. He’d give anything for his guitar just now. At the thought, one hand made a slight twitch towards the lyre on his back, and he had to stop himself from grabbing at it.

“Wait just a minute,” Nadija called from the group of reporters clustered at the front of the podium. ��Who are you, exactly?”

The hero who had been Viperion lifted the corner of his lips in a smile that bared one canine. “You can call me Nemesis. I’ll be Ladybug’s partner for the foreseeable future.” That got a reaction from the crowd, murmurs and whispers merging into a sound surprisingly like an ocean wave.

“What about Chat Noir?” someone else in the press corps called.

“It was Chat Noir’s responsibility to protect Paris while Ladybug followed up a lead in New York. Obviously, he was unable to fulfill his commitment. He…” Nemesis hesitated for a brief instant as Ladybug gripped his bicep almost painfully. “His regret over letting—over being unable to prevent the harm that came to Paris has led him to take a—” He searched for the word he needed,”sabbatical from his duties. In the meantime, I will be standing in his place beside Ladybug, to assist in protecting the citizens of Paris.”

“How long will Chat Noir be gone?” asked Nadija.

“We don’t know,” Ladybug said, dropping her hand from Nemesis’ arm. “That’s something Chat will have to decide. I won’t push him to come back before he’s ready. What we do is not easy, and the emotional burden can sometimes be…overwhelming. I want to assure the people of Paris that our commitment—the commitment of the entire Miraculous team, not just myself and Chat Noir—is unwavering, and we will do what it takes to protect this city and its citizens. I made a mistake, and put too much on Chat’s shoulders. I promise you all, I will learn from this mistake, and do better in the future.”

Nemesis moved his hand behind the podium and tapped Ladybug’s hand lightly, to let her know the timer was running down. She took a deep breath, and looked up at him for a moment, and then faced the crowd again.

“Any questions?” she asked, and he hoped the shake in her voice was not as obvious to the crowd as it was to his trained ear. He put his hand quietly on her back, and focused on supporting her, and answering any questions directed at him as cryptically as possible.

At last it was over, and he once again put an arm around Ladybug’s shoulders as she wrapped one around her waist, and they were swinging away.

Nemesis collapsed to the ground against the edge of the rooftop as soon as they stopped.

“Jesus,” he muttered, pulling his knees up and propping his elbows on them. “I don’t know how you do that all the time.”

Ladybug laughed as she sat down next to him, folding her legs to the side. Like a mermaid, he thought idly. “Honestly, I don’t either. Sometimes I feel like I become a different person when I put the mask on. I guess I’m just sort of used to it now.” She paused, drawing in the dirt of the rooftop with one finger. “Was that…really necessary?” she sighed.

Nemesis sighed too. “I think it was. You tried so many other ways. I really just didn’t see any way around it, but I just knew if I tried to argue you into it—well, I did try to argue you into it. Several times.” He gave her a half-hearted smile.

Ladybug nodded, and sighed. “Well, it wasn’t what I wanted, but it did seem to work.”

Nemesis put his hand on her shoulder. “It was the truth, Ladybug. The softest possible version of the truth, in fact. I understand that he was your partner and you cared about him, but that doesn’t excuse what he did, and you shouldn’t have to suffer the blame for his actions.”

“But if I hadn’t—”

“Stop taking the blame for him!” Nemesis snapped, jerking his hand back and pushing himself to his feet. “He abandoned Paris to the mercy of Mayura and his excuse is peer pressure ?” Nemesis paced across the rooftop, clenched his fists at his side, and tried to breathe through his anger. “Whatever his reasoning or excuses, he made his choices and he has to stand behind that, especially since he didn’t even see fit to consult his partner on his decisions.” He folded his arms. “He just ran away and left you holding the bag.” And if there was anything Nemesis wasn’t willing to forgive him for, it was that. “He deserved a lot worse than anything we said up there. If he’s embarrassed by it, then…” Nemesis turned to face Ladybug, folded his arms, and shrugged. “He’s just going to have to live with it. If he was that concerned about his image, he should have been there with you telling the story his way.”

Ladybug sighed, and stood up, dusting off her hands. “Maybe we should call it a night,” she said briskly, and Nemesis felt instantly guilty.

“Look,” he said, coming close to her again and putting his hand on her shoulder. “I’m not telling you how to feel about it. I know it’s more complicated than I can understand. I’m sorry I got angry. Just—what’s done is done, and now the press conference is over with.”

Ladybug nodded, not quite looking at him. “And now we have to find a way to move forward,” she murmured. “I get it.” She looked up into his face then and grinned. “You know Nemesis was female, right?”

He grinned and shrugged. “Most of the really badass gods were.” He winked. “Just adds to the mystery. The more confused they are, the better, really. Or they can just think I’m dumb and don’t know my classical history. There’s benefits to being underestimated too. Win-win, really. And nothing else really fit, since you vetoed Black Mamba.”

Ladybug laughed, and it sounded genuine. Nemesis’ smile widened. “Whatever, Megamind.”

“Presentation,” Nemesis reminded her, spreading his arms.

“Well, you’ve certainly got that down,” she said, still giggling, and then suddenly leaned forward and wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. Startled, he quickly hugged her back, just as tightly. Pity twisted his heart again, for all she had been through and all she continued to bear. “Thanks,” she whispered. “Thanks for everything.”

“Hey,” he said, squeezing a little tighter. “I”m here for you, okay? Even if you just need to talk, or whatever.”

“Yeah, I know.” Ladybug pulled away, and took her yoyo from her waist. “I’m gonna head home. I figure Hawkmoth’s going to be mad that the ring is out of reach, as far as he knows. He’s probably going to send some nasty stuff after us trying to draw it out.”

“Fun,” Nemesis drawled. “I can’t wait.”

Ladybug snorted. “Welcome aboard,” she said dryly, and then swung away.

***

Being a superhero was hard.

Ladybug hadn’t been wrong. Hawky was pissed, and he and LB had been kept hopping trying to keep things under control by themselves. Luka had never believed he could argue with anyone as much as he argued with Ladybug. She was lovely, clever, and absolutely infuriating. They had had one full-on shouting match at the top of the Eiffel tower when Nemesis finally put his foot down.

“You’re supposed to hang back,” Ladybug insisted. “You’re my insurance!”

“I can’t watch you get hurt anymore!” he had finally yelled back at her, his voice actually cracking for the first time in ages. “LB, you’re just as essential as I am. You don’t have to keep taking all the punishment! You can’t keep taking all the punishment! Even with the resets or the cure, it’s got to be taking some kind of toll on you. Let me help!”

“I need you to be safe so that if I screw up—”

“And I need you to stop turning yourself into an akuma punching bag! Look, it’s not like I’m excited about getting knocked halfway across the city, but it shouldn’t all be on you, either! If I get hurt, you use the cure. If you get hurt, I reset. It doesn’t have to be so one-sided.” He sighed, and gritted his teeth. “Look, we’re both too pissed off to be reasonable right now. Meet me back here tomorrow night and let’s talk this over when we’re—calmer.”

Ladybug gave a very unladylike snort, but folded her arms and nodded.

“I’m worried about you,” he said, still stiff with anger, but more quietly.

“I know,” she muttered. “It’s just…” She trailed off as he held up his hand.

“Tomorrow,” he said, and then turned to slide down the tower rails.

The problem was, of course, that they were both planners and strategists more than fighters. Ladybug was clearly terrified of anything happening to him, and even more terrified of failing. Nemesis’ presence was a comfort to her, reassurance that one screwup on her part wouldn’t mean total disaster. She tried to keep him in the background, protecting him at the expense of herself.

Luka stopped by and grabbed some pastries and hot chocolate from the bakery. It was a bit of a challenge, scaling the tower with his hands so full, but he managed it. He was getting more comfortable in the suit and its enhanced powers by the day, which was a good thing.

Ladybug was already there, her shoulders hunched as she sat with her legs hanging over one of the girders. Nemesis sat down beside her and put down the box of pastries between them before offering her one of the hot chocolates.

She took it, blinking at him in surprise. “Thank you.”

“It was the least I could do after blowing up like that yesterday,” he said, wrapping his hands around his own cup. “I’m sorry. For losing my temper, I mean. I still think we need to talk about the other stuff.”

She just nodded, not meeting his gaze.

“I can’t watch you take all the risks, LB,” he continued, when she said nothing. “I just can’t. I’m here to help, not hang back and watch you suffer.” He sighed. “Maybe you need a different partner. Or,” he added, when her head whipped around to look at him. “Maybe I need a different power? Or we need a third person to balance us out? A heavy hitter, like the dragon or one of the other more front line types.”

Ladybug watched him, forehead creasing in that way he was becoming very familiar with. “Do you…want a different power?” she asked dubiously.

“Not really,” he admitted. “Sass is a sarcastic little shit sometimes but I love him. I think I’m good with these powers.” He glanced at LB, and she nodded agreement. “But I also think you need—” He shook his head, looking away. She needed a cat. The subject of the cat’s ring hung between them, always untouched. “I get why you’re not comfortable, replacing him,” he said finally, very quietly. “But I can’t keep watching you take all the hits, every time. Either we have to work out a compromise, or we have to bring in a new team, or…” Nemesis hesitated. “Just so you know, this is not an ultimatum,” he said, reaching out to touch her hand. “I’m not going to quit, and I’m not going to leave you. But we both know this isn’t working right now. Something’s got to give, and I don’t want it to be you. You’re not alone, so let’s figure this out together.”

Ladybug looked down at her hands. “I don’t want another partner,” she said softly. “There’s just not that many people I trust anymore. Even if our combination isn’t ideal…you’re right, you’re good with the snake, and I have a hard time seeing you with anything else. Combining miraculous is possible but it’s draining, and I don’t think that’s a good long term solution. It would be exhausting for either of us and I don’t have to tell you that this is already a lot to handle without any added strain.”

Nemesis nodded emphatically.

“Adding another teammate…I guess we could.” She hesitated, chewing on her lip. “Is there anyone who you would trust?”

“Yes,” he said, looking at her with a tilt of his head. “But is there anyone you would trust?”

She looked down.

“So that’s out then,” he sighed through his nose, trying not to show his frustration.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “It’s dangerous to have too many out of the box—”

Nemesis nudged the pastry box closer to her. “You don’t have to be sorry. I get it. You’re dealing with a lot more than even I understand. So we’re back to the two of us, then. What can I do to help you be okay with me taking my share? I’ve got Second Chance, and you’ve got the Miraculous Cure. Between the two of us, we ought to be able to pull each other out of the fire, right? So why can’t we take turns on the front line? I trust you and Sass to fix me up if I get knocked around. I’m not going to do anything stupid if I can possibly help it. And sometimes you need the distance and space to think before you can find the solution, I’ve seen it a hundred times.” He snorted softly. “Or at least that’s what it feels like.” He winked, and she couldn’t help a small smile.

“Well…” Ladybug said consideringly, and sighed. “Maybe we could…ease into it? And see how it goes?”

“I’m okay with that,” Nemesis agreed, relieved. “You let me step up once in a while, and we’ll meet up after and talk about how it went? With the goal that eventually we’ll trade off?”

Ladybug nodded slowly, and then more confidently. “Okay. Okay, we can try that.”

“Good,” Nemesis sighed, shoulders slumping in relief. “I’ll hold you to it.”

She smiled, and opened the pastry box. “You better.”

He did have to hold her to it, and remind her of their agreement, the first couple of akumas. The longer they went without any irrevocable disasters, the more Ladybug relaxed, and while their partnership dynamic was certainly different than what she’d had with Chat, it was working, and that's what mattered. Public opinion, mixed in the early days of their partnership, was warming to the new duo, as well, and Luka began to feel like he could breathe again.

***

“This one’s going to be nasty,” Ladybug sighed, watching the akuma bounce over the rooftops like a giant beach ball.

“Aren’t they all?” Nemesis asked wryly, and she grinned at him.

“Do you play video games?” she asked, looking back to the akuma.

“Not really,” he admitted.

“There’s this thing called kiting, where you run in circles to keep away from a powerful monster while you figure out their weakness and chip away at them as much as you can.”

Nemesis saw her point immediately, nodding. “Okay. So we keep him rolling in the same area to limit the damage while we figure out where the akuma is?”

Ladybug nodded. “Yep. If he starts getting too close then we trade off. Deal?”

“Sounds like a plan to me.” He held out his fist, and Ladybug held out hers.

“One, two, three, shoot,” they counted together, and Nemesis’ rock beat Ladybug’s scissors.

“All right,” he said, stepping up on the ledge of the roof. “I’m up first.”

Ladybug set a timer on her bugphone. “I’ll swing in if you get close to recharge time. Tell Sass to eat fast.”

Nemesis rolled his eyes. “Have you seen him eat?”

Ladybug laughed. “Yes.”

Nemesis pulled back the head of the snake. “Go.” Ladybug started her timer, and Nemesis was off.

Ladybug was right. The bouncing, rubbery akuma was tough. Every once in a while, Nemesis got enough distance to turn and hurl his lyre, but it just bounced off the akuma’s elastic hide. He’d already had to reset once because it turned out the damn thing also had a scream weapon that had caught him off guard on his first attempt. This time when the thing screamed, Nemesis dodged. The sound wave clipped his shoulder and he crashed to the ground, rolling to his feet only to stagger, dizzy and disoriented. He held himself still for a moment as the world stopped spinning, and he caught his breath. He wasn’t hurt, though, and the battle was still going. He could hear the thing bounce and it sounded like Ladybug had leapt in and was still leading the akuma in circles like they planned. No need to reset, he decided. He had a moment to get himself together before they came back around this way and then he would take on the chase role, looking for the akumatized object.

“So she really found somebody else, huh?”

The voice was familiar, and all Luka’s muscles tensed. Nemesis’ head turned toward the sound on reflex, but he caught himself and didn’t turn around to look into the shadows of the alley behind him. “You didn’t exactly leave her much choice,” he said. “What did you think she was going to do? Fight by herself? Give up being Ladybug and let Hawkmoth wreak havoc? Did you even know her at all?”

Silence.

“Or would you feel better if she had chosen another Ladybug and Black Cat and gone into retirement herself? Is that really what you wanted for her? For this city? And if they failed, who bears the burden of that choice?”

“I...I didn’t…”

“You didn’t think it through,” Nemesis hissed, fighting the urge to turn around and see the face of the boy who had once been Chat Noir. “You made a selfish, emotional decision in the heat of the moment, abandoned your kwami, and left Ladybug alone when she needed you.” He took a breath, steadying his temper. “Sometimes there’s no going back. Sometimes you have to live with the choices you made.” He paused, and then sighed, shoulders slumping slightly. “And sometimes, if you’re willing to face up to your mistakes, you can learn from them and move on. You still have Ladybug’s beacon. You can still make it right. Whatever Ladybug decides to do after that will be up to her.”

“How can I face her after what I’ve done?”

Nemesis snorted. “After what you’ve done? Facing her is the least you could do.”

There was a long pause. “I’ll think about it.”

“You do that,” Nemesis grunted. “If you call her, she’ll meet you on the roof of Francois-Dupont.”

He heard the shuffling of feet behind him, and then, more softly, “Take care of her.”

“Better than you did, at least.”

Nemesis took a running leap at the nearest building, pulling himself up the side in a series of parkour moves he couldn’t have dreamed of pulling off months ago. He just wanted to get away, before he said anything he might—well, not regret, but that might make things awkward later. He had no idea what LB would do if Chat returned, and his gut churned just thinking about it. Not that he would be sorry to get back to a normal life. Marinette had been popping up at the boat an awful lot lately, for one thing, and he really wanted to be able to ask her out without worrying about being interrupted with an akuma. She had iced him out for a while after her trip to New York and he hadn’t understood why, but lately it seemed like maybe she had figured out whatever was on her mind. She hadn’t even minded when he had fallen asleep on her shoulder during the movie night they’d had at the Liberty last week. He’d been exhausted from a late night/early morning akuma and he’d been horrified when he woke that he’d missed out on the time with her, but she had just smiled sweetly and told him she understood.

He supposed she probably did, she was so busy herself. It had been embarrassing though, and he had missed out on enjoying the movie with her. So it wouldn’t be so bad if LB decided she didn’t need him anymore. It’s not like he was jealous of Chat. He had no romantic designs on Ladybug, after all, even though she was a perfectly lovely person, inside and out. He just…liked being useful. It was in his nature to take care of people, and as rough as superheroing was, it fulfilled some deep desire down in his soul to be useful, to contribute, to give back. Maybe that was his own abandonment issues talking.

Ladybug and the akuma were heading straight for him. There was only about a minute left on his clock, and then he’d have to recharge. There wasn’t any more time for thinking or worrying. He had a job to do, after all. Whatever decision LB made…he’d just have to live with it.

***

Luka lost count of how many laps they ran and how many resets it took to deflate the beach ball akuma.

He just made it to the roof of a nearby building, and crumpled to the ground, laying on his back. A moment later, he felt the impact of Ladybug landing near him.

“Well,” she gasped, bending over to lean her hands on her thighs. “That one was fun.”

“Can we talk?” he asked, between panting breaths. “Not now. Later.” He grinned. “After we’ve had a rest.”

“Sure,” she responded shortly, just as winded as he was. “Usual?”

“Yeah.”

“See you there.” She straightened with clear effort.

“Leaving so soon?”

She grinned and tapped an earring.

“Right,” he panted. “I’m just going to…lay here…for a few more hours.” He lifted his fingers in a salute as she huffed “Bug out,” and swung away.

A shimmer of teal light enveloped him. “Poor girl,” he muttered when Sass appeared next to his head. “Never…gets a…break.”

Sass chuckled and patted Luka’s cheek fondly, before diving into Luka’s hoodie pocket.

***

That night, Nemesis was pacing on top of the Eiffel tower, waiting for Ladybug. He wasn’t really sure how this conversation was going to go, and he was…nervous.

“I talked to Chat,” he said, and told her what had happened during the battle.

“So…he might be thinking about coming back?” Ladybug said slowly, and for once, Nemesis couldn’t read her tone.

“Maybe,” he said gruffly. “He didn’t really commit, one way or the other.” He probably could have done more to convince Chat, he thought guiltily, if he hadn’t let his own festering anger get the best of him. He should have. If Chat chose to apologize and Ladybug chose to forgive him, how was it Nemesis’ place to stand in the way just because of his own resentment? His shoulders twitched uncomfortably and he shrugged them, rolling his neck a bit. His muscles were still exhausted from the chase around the city and his legs in particular felt like jelly. He wondered if she felt the same, and then brought his mind back to the conversation as Ladybug finally spoke.

“If he chose to come back, would you work with him?”

“What?” Nemesis blurted, and Ladybug blinked at him in surprise. “I mean,” Nemesis stammered, “Sure, if you still wanted me, I’d do whatever you needed.”

Ladybug tilted her head. “You thought I would kick you off the team if Chat came back.”

Nemesis spread his hands. “I figured I’d be back to part time, at the least. You’ve always been a two-person team, and I know you worry about having too many out of the box at the same time. I thought you’d want to go back to the way it used to be.”

Ladybug’s lips thinned, and her shoulders stiffened. “It can’t go back to the way it used to be. Even if you did step down, it just—it can’t.”

Nemesis nodded slowly. He supposed it really couldn’t, though he was surprised to hear her voice the thought. He stepped back automatically out of the way as she began to pace the narrow girder, her forehead wrinkle even more prominent than usual.

“What am I going to do? What if he wants to talk but he’s still mad? What if I’m still mad? Am I still mad?” She looked up at Nemesis, her eyes wide and vaguely panicked. “What if he still thinks it’s all my fault? What will I do? What will I say?”

“Do you still think it’s your fault?” Nemesis asked, watching her.

“I—” She brought one hand to her mouth and fisted it, as if she wanted to chew on her knuckles. “I don’t—I mean…” She put her hand down, and stood still. “No,” she said in a small voice.

Nemesis smiled, but kept what he wanted to say to himself.

She took a deep breath, and started walking again, but slower this time. “He shouldn’t have lied to me,” she said. “He should have called me and told me what was going on. He had options, but he just let me believe Paris was safe and—no matter how I reacted afterwards, that was…wrong. Quitting without even talking it over or making a plan, leaving me to handle everything by myself…that was…”

When she didn’t finish, Nemesis offered tentatively, “Selfish?”

She nodded, turning to face him. “It really was. It wasn’t fair. He caused all the problems and left me to take all the blame. Even if he thought he was doing the right thing…he wasn’t, and he didn’t even include me in his decisions. How can—” She paused, voice wavering. “How can I ever trust him again?”

Nemesis sighed, and went to her, putting his hands on her shoulders. “I don’t have any answers for you,” he said with a lopsided smile. “I can only tell you I support whatever you decide to do. If Chat’s willing to work with me, and you still want me on the team, then I promise I can put the past where it belongs and be professional. Whichever way it goes with Chat—if he actually decides to meet—I’ll be there for you however you need. No matter what happens, you’re not alone.”

She leaned into him and hugged him tightly. “Thank you. Really. You’ve put up with a lot from me. No matter what happens…I want you on my side. You’ve more than proven yourself.”

“I’m there,” he agreed, putting his arms around her and rubbing her back lightly. “Chat might not want to share you, though,” he teased after a moment.

Ladybug snorted. “Chat can live with it.”

Fiction Master Post

It was always my intention to leave this open-ended. Will LB take him back? Should she? How will the team dynamic change from here? I think those are interesting questions and intended to leave them to the reader to arrange according to preference. I've already gotten puppy dog eyes (or maybe threats) from those who got a sneak peek at this, so if anyone feels inspired to add on to this, just make sure to tag me and I'll reblog it and tag it, and add the link here.I don't currently intend to go any further because I just have too many other things that need attention, but never say never…some day I may feel like adding to it myself as well. In the meantime I welcome anyone else who wants to carry it on!

#quickspins #live with it #lukanette #endgame lukanette #lukanette endgame #luka couffaine #marinette dupain-cheng #miraculous ladybug #miraculousladybug #pro lukamari #adrien salt #chat salt #ml writers salt #salt #new york special salt

41 notes · View notes

lovebugs-and-snakecharmers · 2 years

Text

Secret Admirer 2022 Exchange

Time for the sign up for the third annual Secret Admirer Exchange is here! We’ll leave the link open until 01/10/22. After which everyone will be paired up, and emails sent out with your Secret Admirer giftee.

Just a few reminders:

This is a Lukanette event. While we encourage everyone from any side of the fandom to join us, Lukanette should be the main focus as well as end game.

Fics must be at least 1500 words.

Art must at least be flat colored.

If you need to drop out after pairing emails have gone out, please let us know no later than February 5th, as that will give our pinch hitters time to get something done.

Submissions must be uploaded to the AO3 collection no later than midnight of February 13th so that we can make the collection visible for everyone on the 14th.

If you have any questions though, please feel free to send us an ask, or get in contact with either @livrever or myself @justknitstuff

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScsDlEap9qfS8WzGGmegqqTZlbKRYZCRiGeyfdLNPdHFoTGHg/viewform

#lbsc #LBSC exchange #lbsc event #lbsc exchange 2022 #lukanette #luka couffaine #marinette dupain cheng #pro lukarmari #lukanette event

99 notes · View notes

epcot97 · 2 years

Text

“There’s someone out there for you, Chat,” she said softly. “You’ll find them.”

“I… hope you’re right,” I replied as I pulled my baton from my back.

“Have I ever led you astray before?” Ladybug asked, trying to lighten the mood.

“No,” I said after an honest moment of reflection. “Never.” Turning slightly, I looked at her and managed a weak smile despite seeing the ending of every dream I had ever had. “Until we meet again, Milady.”

“Good night, Chat.”

Not trusting myself to say anything further, I extended the baton and lifted myself over the first building, spun in the air and vaulted toward a second before landing along the spine of a third. At twenty-five and with twelve years as Chat under my belt, I could crisscross Paris using my personal highway in the sky with my feline eyes closed, which was good seeing as though the tears were quite effectively blinding me. I had no destination in mind and only the intense urge to put as much distance as I could between myself and the shattered remains of a future that now seemed unobtainable. In my younger days as Chat, I’d found solace beneath the night skies of Paris, freedom away from the oppressive parenting of my father, even if it came with the price of fighting Hawkmoth and all he represented. Having Ladybug as my partner had only sweetened the deal, and to be honest, I’d spent as many hours as I could out and about as Chat just to increase the odds of running into her. Some nights it had worked; most, it didn’t, but I’d never stopped.

Now I looked back on it in anger, wondering what the point had been. For while I’d been pining away for my lady, she’d clearly never taken me seriously.

Lovely, I thought as I hung a claw on an antenna aerial and looped around the base to land on a rooftop, all those years I was a smitten kitten and what did it get me? Nothing but heartache.

This is the sixth entry in my Elegy Series, written as part of the @mlbigbang 2021 project. I had no idea how popular my versions of these characters would become, or for that matter, how much fun it would be to watch them evolve as I dove deeper into the series. Technically this is the finale of the story arc I crafted more than three years ago, but as they say... never say never. Be sure to watch my Tumblr for details on my upcoming works.

Special thanks this time out for my amazing art collaborators, @spibbyz and Alya Cesaire; seeing my story come alive as a result of their talents has been an experience I will treasure forever. And, of course, a huge shout out to my frequent writing partner and true friend, @livrever, who agreed to beta this work.

I'm truly blessed to be even a small part of this fandom; thank you so much for your warm support.

--ep

#ml big bang 2021 #marichat #miraculous marichat #miraculous chat noir #maricat #miraculous marinette #marinette dupain cheng #chat noir #miraculous fanfiction

7 notes · View notes

sing-in-me-oh-muse · 3 years

Note

Oooh... if you are open for prompt suggestions, I would absolutely love a story where Luka (or Viperion) confesses to Marinette (or Ladybug) that he knows her alternate identity.

Image credit.

Bad with Words (Lukanette)

466 words

"I know,” Luka said to the mirror, desperately trying to psych himself up. “I know it’s you, Marinette. I know who you are.”

He’d long since figured out Marinette’s secret identity: that of Ladybug, Paris’ superheroine. Luka knew he had to tell her somehow, that she’d been compromised. But he just couldn’t find the words.

“I’m bad with words,” he’d told her once and that was still true. He was awful with words, despite trying his hand at songwriting.

So he had no idea how he was going to gently let Marinette know that her secret had been blown.

The pieces fit. Even before he’d been given Sass as a permanent hero, Luka had known his girlfriend’s excuses were paper-thin. And her disappearances almost always coincided with akuma alerts on their phones. Marinette and Ladybug had the same build, the same voice, the same walk--heck, even the same pigtails.

How could he not know? But the problem he had now wasn’t knowing, it was telling her. Luka must tell her. He must.

He just didn’t know how.

***

In the end, Luka decided on the simple, straightforward approach. He’d called Ladybug on Viperion’s lyre and asked her to meet with him on a rooftop near her parents’ bakery, so she could easily run home if she needed to.

He showed up in costume with a stargazer lily, which earned him a skeptical look. “What’s this all about?” Ladybug said, cocking her head at him.

“Ladybug,” Viperion started, but then his words dried up on his tongue. “I…”

Her steely gaze softened. “What is it, Luka?” she whispered, placing a hand on his shoulder. “I’m here.”

That was all the reassurance he needed. He knelt in front of her, extending the lily. “I want you to know that you’re safe with me,” he began as her eyes widened. “I know.”

Her jaw dropped. “You… know?”

“I do,” Viperion said, delighted when she took the lily. Once she did, the words were like a waterfall gushing out of him. “And I don’t mind that you had to make so many excuses. I understand the burden that has been placed on you. I’m terrified that I won’t be there for you, but I trust Chat to protect you. And I hope beyond hope that you’ll still… be okay with dating me after this.”

Tears welled in Ladybug’s eyes. Marinette’s eyes. “Thank you, for telling me.”

Viperion heaved a sigh of relief. He’d done it. He’d told her that he knew.

And she hadn’t rejected him.

As she took his hand and helped him up, Viperion knew they could take on the world. She could do anything, and he’d back her up. He wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, and she seemed to feel the same.

Together.

---

Thanks for the prompt, livrever!

To request a drabble, please visit this post!

@miraculousfanworks

#drabble request #drabble #drabble requests #miraculous ladybug #lukanette #i wrote this

74 notes · View notes

chrwrites · 3 years

Text

SOFTober day 30: Blanket

This is my first attempt at writing dad Luka and family fluff, I hope you like it!

Also, there's a reference to someone else's beautiful fic in this one and I hope you guess what it is 👀 (if not don't worry, I linked it at the end of the work!)

And if you want to read the story on ao3 along with my silly notes here's the link! I hope you like it 💖

Luka was welcomed by the sound of tiny footsteps tapping on the hardwood floor as soon as he entered the house, “Papa!” Harmony called, running towards him and hugging his legs. Luka chuckled, lowering himself to hug his little daughter and greet her, “Hello, mon cœur”, he ruffled her hair when he got up, and let her ramble about her day as he took his jacket and shoes off.

He could hear the sound of the TV coming from the living room, and not seeing Marinette greet him along with their daughter made him suspicious, she had probably gotten lost working on a new project and made Harmony come greet him instead.

“Where's Maman?”, he asked after he picked his daughter up in his arms.

“We were watching Elsa and now she’s sleeping”, she said as he walked towards the living room. The TV was on, showing Harmony’s favourite movie, and Luka found his wife sitting on the couch, head tilted on one side and eyes closed. Her tablet was dangerously balanced on her bump, one hand resting by her side and still holding the digital pen she had been using, there were papers and crayons scattered on the coffee table in front of her and Harmony’s toys were out of their chest and all over the carpet.

“I gave Maman my blankie”, Harmony whispered pointing at her. The small blue and pink blanket Marinette had knitted during her first pregnancy was falling from her shoulders, and he smiled fondly thinking about his daughter climbing on the couch to put it on her mother while she was asleep.

“Well done, little one”, Luka cooed, “We should take Maman to bed, do you want to help me?”.

His question made Harmony nod vigorously, the big blue eyes that resembled her mother’s were sparkling with enthusiasm, showing her eagerness to help her Papa. He instructed her to put her toys in the chest before he carefully picked Marinette up and walked to their bedroom. She nuzzled her head on his chest, garbling some incoherent words when he tucked her into the covers and turned around, her bump sticking out under the covers. He couldn't control the soft expression that appeared on his face as he admired her figure.

This pregnancy was rougher than the first one, and it almost being at the end meant that she always felt tired and drowsy. He wasn't surprised to find her asleep among her projects, it was something she did even before they got together, but he still wanted her to take care of herself and be there for her as much as he could. He pressed a kiss on her forehead before leaving the room and he smiled when he heard her hum softly at his touch.

After he left the room, he found Harmony sitting with her legs crossed in front of the TV, some of her toys were still scattered around the room and she was holding her ice queen doll to her chest. He put away Harmony’s toys before collecting Marinette’s papers and supplies from the coffee table. Some very colourful drawings were topping Marinette’s work, and Luka found himself grinning widely as he looked through his daughter’s works, his heart filling with warmth and pride at the smiling figures that represented their family.

He stashed her drawings on the top of Marinette’s sketches and put them away before walking to Harmony, "Do you want to help Papa make dinner?". The little girl quickly got up to her feet, and giggled when he picked her up and settled her on the kitchen counter.

She accepted the peeled carrot Luka offered, and they waited for the water to boil before he helped her pour the pasta in the pot. When it was done, he allowed Harmony to add the sauce to the pasta and smiled proudly after hearing her say that she did it just like Maman.

They left some pasta for Marinette in case she woke up and craved some, and sat on the table to eat quietly. Harmony later helped him load the dishwasher and they shared a high five for getting their chores done for the day. The little girl cheered when he suggested for her to have a bath and ran towards the bathroom, Luka he couldn't help but laugh as he followed her and pretended not to be able to catch her, "You're too fast!", he said faking a breathless sigh when he caught her and started tickling her. Harmony giggled, squirming in his arms so she could free herself. She walked off to grab her pink bottle of soap when he let her go, and poured it in the tub as soon as Luka had the water running. He watched over his daughter creating scenarios with her mermaids and rubber toys and happily singing the songs from her favourite movies. She laughed as she blew the bubbles in her hands to his direction, and when Luka finally managed to get her out of the water his t-shirt was soaked, Harmony's eyes twinkling with mischief as she changed into clean pyjamas and Luka grabbed a clean t-shirt before he blow dried her dark hair.

"Papa, can you tell me the story about the prince and the lady that in reality is the princess?", Harmony asked when he tucked her to bed.

"Sure", he said, and he launched into the enthralling tale of a prince who had never seen the ocean and his betrothed princess, their fake identities, and the long journey that brought him and the princess' lady-in-waiting together. Harmony listened attentively, cheering when he enacted the scene where the protagonists fought against a group of brigants, and eyes twinkling when the prince and the princess confessed their real identities and got married.

By the time Luka reached the end of the story and the prince and the princess became king and queen, Harmony's eyelids were dropping and she yawned. Luka got up from her bed, adjusting the covers and pressing a small kiss on her forehead. He turned off the lights, and heard Harmony shift before he left the room, "Papa", she called, her voice low, "Will you stay tomorrow?". She was holding onto her pink and blue blanket close as if it would have protected her from a negative answer.

Luka felt his heart tighten in his chest, and tried to hide the flinch in his face with a soft smile. He hated being away for long as much as he hated hearing Harmony cry over the phone and say how much he missed her dad.

Now that he could take a break from touring to help Marinette with the future newborn and enjoy the time with his family he was determined to do so, but despite having been home for several weeks, Harmony would still look at him with sad eyes when she asked him the question, afraid he might answer that he would leave again and be away for a long time.

"Of course I will, ma petite fleur", he reassured. Harmony smiled, and raised her arms in order to hug him. Luka shuffled closer to her, sitting back on the bed and hugging her tight. She mumbled a “Love you, Papa” as she nuzzled to his side that made him feel as happy as the day she was born, and she fell asleep to a sweet lullaby he sang to her.

After making sure that Harmony was asleep, Luka finally got to bed, and Marinette shifted as he got inside the covers. It didn’t take long for her to realize where she was and let out a loud gasp as she stood up, “Oh my god, Harmony!” she screeched, worry clear in her voice. Luka put a hand on her shoulder to steady her, and he felt her relax a little under his touch, “Darling, if you scream any louder you'll wake her up”, he said softly, and Marinette sighed as she moved closer to him, “I-I fell asleep…”, she mumbled as Luka wrapped his arm around her, drawing small patterns on her sides.

“I got distracted! That shouldn't have happened! What if she got hurt?”, she sighed helplessly, and Luka kissed her forehead, “Love, it’s okay. She’s old enough to come to you if she needs anything”.

Marinette shook her head, "But... It shouldn't happen... I’m so tired, Lu… and that makes me be a bad mom and-"

“Shhh…", Luka interrupted her, pressing a gentle kiss on her lips to stop the bitter words that were about to come out of her mouth, "You know that’s not true”, he whispered, pulling her close and running his hand on her back slowly.

“It’s the last month, you were this tired with Harm as well. You’re not a bad mom, you’re doing an amazing job and Harmony loves you, and I’m sure she’ll love you too”, he reassured, putting his hand on her bump and rubbing gently. Marinette sighed, and took a deep breath before finally allowing herself to relax.

“And I’ll be here for all of it, I told you. I’m not leaving my favourite girls alone”, Luka reassured. His words made Marinette chuckle, and she shifted closer to rest her head on his shoulder, “You better, Rockstar”.

He kissed her head, and closed his eyes, “You can sleep in tomorrow, I’ll take care of Harmony and you won’t have to worry about anything”, he said, and Marinette’s protests died down in a soft hum when he kissed her. He fixed the blankets on them and smiled at her wife, “I love you”, she whispered before drifting to sleep again.

Did you guess where the tale Luka told Harmony comes from? You can read Adamaris by @livrever here 💖

#lukanette #lukanette fic #endgame lukanette #softober

42 notes · View notes